Just before the holidays last year, Astara Philippines officially announced they are the new distributor of JMC pickup trucks in the country. With it, the company will soon enter the local pickup truck market to compete against the stalwarts of the segment.

At the time, the automaker did not announce what models they would be bringing to the Philippines. However, based on insider information, Astara wants to bring not one but two pickups into the country, the Grand Avenue & the Vigus Work.

Heck, we also received information that JMC already has regulatory approval for a light-duty vehicle that’s powered by a 2296cc turbo-diesel engine. After cross-checking with what engine powers the Grand Avenue in its home market, it looks like the arrival of the pickup truck will be a matter of when rather than if.

Fast forward to March 2024, and Astara Philippines has confirmed that the Grand Avenue and Vigus Work are set to disrupt the pickup truck market. More importantly, they will be making their presence felt at the upcoming 2024 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). That’s right, the Grand Avenue and Vigus Work will be available for all to see this coming April 4 to 7.

As seen from press pics before, the Grand Avenue comes with a brawny exterior that appears to have been inspired by the Ford F-150 full-size pickup. It’s also slightly bigger than your typical midsize pickup truck as it measures 5450mm long, 1935mm wide, and 1872mm tall. It also has a generous 3720mm wheelbase and a cargo bed that comes in at 1546mm long, 1595mm wide, and 546mm tall.

Under the hood, the Grand Avenue will be powered by a turbo-diesel engine. No exact specs have been revealed just yet although it’s highly likely it will get a 2.3-liter turbo-diesel engine that puts out 177 PS with 450 Nm of torque. Power will then be sent to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic, depending on what JMC brings here.

Last but not least, the Grand Avenue will be packed with plenty of features. That means we can expect the JMC pickup to come with a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, paddle shifters for automatic variants, a front center armrest, and a host of USB charging ports.

For extra peace of mind, JMC Philippines will also provide a one-of-a-kind Lifetime Engine Warranty for its customers. For the company, this unparalleled program will deliver unwavering commitment not just to delivering powerful vehicles but also to ensuring enduring reliability for the long haul.

“We are ready to meet the demand for cutting-edge pickups in the country. The launch of our new models brings better options into the market, offering Filipinos a choice for performance, efficiency, and comfort with the best value for money. Backed by the support of Astara Philippines, JMC is ready to kick off a prosperous journey in the Philippines,” said Arlan Reyes, JMC Philippines Brand Head.

JMC Philippines will be present at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show from April 4 - 7.